Email from

November 2024

• DIABETES •

Your hearing health involves more than just the auditory system. Being advocates for whole-person care, we want you to hear the facts about how hearing loss relates to common medical conditions.

Did you know people with diabetes are about twice as likely to experience hearing loss as those without? Preventing or controlling diabetes may reduce the risks of struggling to enjoy life’s soundtrack.

In the U.S., approximately 37.3 million people have diabetes, with one in five unaware they have it, numbered with prediabetes almost tripling since 2005. Remarkably, almost 25% of national health care costs are spent on chronic diabetes treatment, making it our country’s most expensive medical condition to care for.

Currently incurable, Type 1 and 2 diabetes reflect how our body processes insulin — a naturally occurring hormone the pancreas makes to help convert sugar to energy. To gain perspective, here are key points:

Type 1 Diabetes

Known as: Juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes

Typically diagnosed: during childhood or adolescence but can also develop in adults.¹

Characterized by the body’s:

Immune system destroying insulin-producing (islet) cells in the pancreas, so little or no insulin is made.

Causes:

Genetics
Exposure to viruses and other environmental factors

Type 2 Diabetes

Known as: adult-onset diabetes

Typically diagnosed: during adulthood.

Characterized by the body’s:

Pancreas not producing enough insulin and cells responding poorly to insulin take in less sugar.

Causes:

Cells become resistant to insulin and don't take in enough sugar
The pancreas can't produce enough insulin to maintain healthy levels

To Get Real About Diabetes™ and learn about how our body turns food into energy, see this fascinating video.

Click illustration to view

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains, Diabetes can lead to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) that affects many parts of the body, including hands, feet, eyes, and kidneys.

How does hearing loss relate to diabetes?

According to well-respected research:

➤ It was reported that poorly controlled diabetics have significant hearing loss in high frequencies as compared with well controlled diabetes.²

➤ Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was more common in patients with diabetes than in the control nondiabetic patients, and severity of hearing loss seemed to correlate with progression of disease as reflected in serum creatinine.³

➤ This study also showed that in patients with diabetes and SNHL, worsening creatinine levels—and therefore worsening microvascular disease—led to worse hearing.³

The American Diabetes Association says, “Right now, we don't know how diabetes is related to hearing loss. It's possible that the high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes cause damage to small blood vessels in the inner ear, similar to the way in which diabetes can damage the eyes and kidneys.” ⁴

Potential Nerve Damage: High and Low

↑ Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear.

↓ Low blood sugar can damage how nerve signals travel from the inner ear to the brain.

Both types of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.⁵

¹ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011

² Laryngoscope 115: September 2005, Weng et al.: Diabetic Patients with Sudden Deafness

³ Otology & Neurotology, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2003, Kakarlapudi et al.: The Effect of Diabetes on Sensorineural Hearing Loss

⁴ https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/hearing-loss/diabetes-and-hearing-loss

⁵ https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-hearing-loss.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-hearing-loss.html

Preventing or managing diabetes includes these steps

Know the common symptoms.

Talk to diabetes care experts and get necessary evaluations in a timely manner.

Take proactive steps to prevent or control the disease.

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

Do you have diabetes or a family history that may increase your risk of diabetes-related hearing loss? With the daily challenges of having diabetes or caring for loved ones who do, effective communication is vital.

To reduce risks and really improve your quality of life, see us for periodic evaluations to monitor your type and degree of hearing loss. In close coordination with your other healthcare providers, we will suggest healthy options to reduce the risk of inner ear damage, optimize hearing acuity and help you to be Happy to Hear.

VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION

Exciting news! Focus Hearing has expanded, and we're thrilled to announce our new location. New office, same exceptional hearing care!

7500 W. 160th St, Ste 103

Stilwell, KS 66085

(913) 600-4619

Our Patients Say It Best

“Excellent service from all staff members with every interaction we've had. Thought I lost one hearing aid and had ordered a replacement. When I found the missing hearing aid, Dawn was able to cancel the order and quickly reimburse me. Incidentally, I am very please with the hearing aids and service.”

— Ginny G.

myfocushearing.com

10990 Quivira Road

Suite 120

Overland Park, KS 66210

913.754.2144

7500 West 160th Street

Suite 103

Overland Park, KS 66085

913.600.4619

Walk-In Service Hours

Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

The information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes. Regarding specific questions, please talk to your Doctor.